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EP0269143A1 - Zeitschalter mit merfachem Sicherheitszusammenbau - Google Patents

Zeitschalter mit merfachem Sicherheitszusammenbau Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0269143A1
EP0269143A1 EP87201952A EP87201952A EP0269143A1 EP 0269143 A1 EP0269143 A1 EP 0269143A1 EP 87201952 A EP87201952 A EP 87201952A EP 87201952 A EP87201952 A EP 87201952A EP 0269143 A1 EP0269143 A1 EP 0269143A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
relay assembly
thermostop
assembly
timer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP87201952A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0269143B1 (de
Inventor
Eugenio Lombardo
Roberto Pellicioli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eaton Controls SpA
Original Assignee
Eaton Controls SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eaton Controls SpA filed Critical Eaton Controls SpA
Publication of EP0269143A1 publication Critical patent/EP0269143A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0269143B1 publication Critical patent/EP0269143B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H43/00—Time or time-programme switches providing a choice of time-intervals for executing one or more switching actions and automatically terminating their operations after the programme is completed
    • H01H43/10—Time or time-programme switches providing a choice of time-intervals for executing one or more switching actions and automatically terminating their operations after the programme is completed with timing of actuation of contacts due to a part rotating at substantially constant speed
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/001—Means for preventing or breaking contact-welding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/001—Means for preventing or breaking contact-welding
    • H01H2003/002—Means for preventing or breaking contact-welding with lockout, e.g. two contact pairs in series

Definitions

  • This invention concerns a mechanical programmer device comprising means able to provide multiple safety conditions.
  • This invention concerns also a relay assembly for association with such programmer devices.
  • Timers serve to condition, in sequences which can be selected as required, the functions proper to a machine or device with which such timers are associated.
  • the timers can control and govern multiple functions at one and the same time.
  • the invention preferably but not exclusively concerns timers employed in washing and drying machines for household, public or industrial use.
  • the invention more generally concerns timers used to control functions the duration of which cannot be determined or advantageously is best not determined a priori.
  • the invention concerns also the relay assemblies to be associated with such timers.
  • Timers of a mechanical or electromechanical type are deemed herein to be already known as regards their various structures and features.
  • the timers comprise a small motor, a train of gears, a plurality of means performing the functions of cams, elements or contacts suitable to be actuated by such cam means and able, each of them, to close or open an electrical circuit, means for electrical connections and means for mechanical connections.
  • timer governs the functions proper to a washing and/or drying machine
  • it has to govern also the function of heating the wash water or drying air, that is to say, it has to actuate for a suitable time the electrical resistor or resistors employed to heat the water or air.
  • the duration of such a function cannot be determined a priori owing to a plurality of factors.
  • the length of the heating period depends on the type of fluid, the type and existing condition of the heating element, the quantity and type of clothes involved, the inflow temperature of the fluid, the external air temperature, etc.
  • the normal timers which are normally the most up-to-date ones, already comprise a device which acts on the timer itself by stopping the system of forward movement of at least part of the cams until the temperature of the fluid has reached the desired value.
  • Such stopping device which is technically called a “thermostop” as it is known to perform the stopping functions associated with thermal factors, is normally embodied with a rod normally held by spring means in an inactive position.
  • this rod is displaced axially and momentarily by an attraction means or electrical coil and is brought to its active position, that is, the position for stopping the system of forward movement of at least part of the cams of the time, as we said above.
  • thermostop has been shown here as a rod but in actual fact the known embodiments provide for levers of various types, sliders, wedges, etc.
  • thermostop when mention is made of rods performing the functions of a thermostop, all the known variants and variants which can be likened thereto are also meant.
  • thermostop to the heating function in this text
  • linking shall not be deemed to be restrictive even though it is the system most often applied.
  • thermostop can therefore be linked to the actuation of an electric motor or valve, or other actuations or functions of which the moment of duration of actuation cannot be reasonably programmed a priori.
  • thermostop and heating resistors are merely given as an example and shall therefore not be deemed restrictive.
  • the value of the current absorbed by the electrical resistor is such that it cannot be withstood by the tracks of the printed circuit itself.
  • some assemblers employ a contact, as is comprised in the timer itself, to govern a relay of an appropriate power positioned elsewhere and connected electrically to the timer.
  • Both the embodiment which controls the resistor by the contacts of the timer and the embodiment which controls the resistor through the contact of a relay entail the drawback that, if after a given number of actuations the contacts stick or remain attached or welded to each other, there is no way of telling from the outside of the machine that such shortcoming has occurred, with the consequent danger of a continuous feed of the resistor, if still other contacts become stuck there­after, and a dangerous loss of safety.
  • a timer and a relay with at least one power contact are intimately associated together, and all the intercontrol and governing electrical wiring is fitted advantageously during construction by the manufacturer of the timers or the manufacturer of the relays or by another person concerned with the assembly.
  • the coil itself of the relay thus intimately associated with the timer actuates also the mechanical element that performs the function of a thermostop.
  • thermostop takes place without possibility of failure at one and the same time.
  • the power contacts are actuated by operation keepers which make use of the resilience of independent resi­lient blades that bear the contacts themselves.
  • the power contacts may be simple contacts or change-over contacts.
  • the power contacts of the relay are associated with a device which checks that the contacts have opened correctly and the functioning or function of the relay has been stopped in the event that the contact rivets of a contact are stuck together.
  • control device governs also the thermostop or the function of the thermostop. In the event of the contact rivets of a contact being stuck together, this control device ensures the opening of the rivets of the remaining contacts.
  • the control device acts on contacts which are not stuck and prevents them closing. This preventive action takes place by halting at least part of the closure travel of the contacts.
  • such prevention is performed by interposing a diaphragm in the dielectric of the contact or contacts which are still working.
  • the invention is therefore embodied with a timer of a mechanical type with a multiple safety assembly, the timer comprising cam means which are actuated by a motor and govern selectable contacts, and being characterized in that it also comprises in intimate association a power relay assembly controlled functionally by the timer and tabs for the connection of usage means.
  • the invention is also embodied with a relay assembly to be associated with a timer, the assembly being characterized in that the position of a thermostop rod is controlled by a main operation keeper governed by a coil.
  • a timer or programmer device 10 of a mechanical or electromechanical type with cams governing electrical contacts is shown generically in Fig.3 in a plan view of the side containing a motor 29. Such timer is taken as being already known in any of its embodiments.
  • thermostop of a mechanical type on the timer so as to stop the forward movement of a part of the cams of the timer is also taken as being already known.
  • thermostop embodied as a rod
  • thermostop in the invention covers any type of known thermostop.
  • Fig.3 shows a motor 29, timer output tabs 30 and tabs 31 for connection to usage means as specified hereinafter.
  • Tabs of a power socket for the motor 29 bear the reference 34, as an example.
  • a relay assembly 32 is fitted to an outer surface 35 of the timer 10 and supports, guides and conditions a thermostop, which in this example is embodied as a rod 11.
  • thermostop rod 11 on the timer 10 is taken as being already known in view of the many normal applications in existence and the various known types of thermostop 11.
  • the relay assembly 32 comprises a pole piece support 37, which bears a coil 16 and, at its end, a preforated stationary protruding abutment 14 suitable to permit axial sliding of the thermostop rod 11.
  • thermostop rod 11 includes an abutment ring 13 on which a spring 12 opposed by the stationary abutment 14 acts.
  • thermostop rod 11 in its active position would always be in a position to stop the forward movement of a part of the cams of the timer owing to the inclusion of the spring 12 which thrusts towards the timer 10.
  • thermostop rod 11 At its upper end the thermostop rod 11 comprises a clamping washer 15 and cooperates with a suitably conformed hole included in the end of a thermostop operation arm 25 pro­truding from a main operation keeper 20.
  • thermostop rod 11 is shown as being positioned at the end of the main operation keeper 20 but could be located at any position, even axially to the coil 16, although always subject to the main operation keeper 20 or an equivalent thereof.
  • thermostop rod 11 The inclusion of the spring 12 is advantageous since in this way the main operation keeper 20 applies to the thermostop rod 11 only an action to cause that rod 11 to rise.
  • thermostop the inclusion of the spring 12 is also advantageous because within the timer 10 the assembly which owing to the urging of the thermostop rod 11 enables the drawing of part of the cams to be disconnected temporarily is not always already in the correct position when the thermostop rod 11 is actuated.
  • thermostop In such types of thermostop, therefore, the spring 12 keeps the thermostop rod 11 pressed in a resilient position towards the inner timer assembly, and when the latter reaches its cor­rect position, the spring acts.
  • the main operation keeper 20 is made advantageously of a plastic material and forms one body with a second ferro­magnetic keeper 117 integrally connected to a first ferro­magnetic keeper 17 which is actuated directly by the coil 16.
  • the first and second keepers 17-117 are connected in a known manner to a support 37.
  • the coil 16 when the coil 16 is energized, namely when the coil is fed with voltage, the first ferromagnetic keeper 17 is attracted by the coil 16, and the second keeper 117 is attracted therewith, and therefore the main operation keeper 20 too is moved on the vertical plane.
  • a spring 19 acts on the main operation keeper 20 by lifting it and lifts therewith the first and second keepers 17-117 and the thermostop operation arm 25.
  • thermostop operation arm 25 When the thermostop operation arm 25 is lifted, the thermostop rod 11 is also raised, overcoming the thrust of its spring 12 and removing the obstacle to the functioning of the timer 10.
  • thermostop operation arm 25 When the thermostop operation arm 25 is lowered because the coil is energised, the spring 12 is free to thrust the thermostop rod 11 to its position for stopping the timer 10.
  • the main operation keeper 20 comprises in a forward position one or two contact operation arms 23, which, when two in number, extend laterally from the main operation keeper 20.
  • the contact operation arms 23 act by pressure in a forward position on resilient blades 18, which bear contact rivets 22-122 and are anchored to output tabs 21 and include terminal contact rivets 22 in the case of simple contacts and terminal contact rivets 22-222 in the case of change-over contacts.
  • the output tabs 21 integrally fixed to the blade 18 are positioned advantageously in the neighbourhood of a spring 19, which lifts the main operation keeper 20 and the first and second keepers 17-117 when the coil 16 is not energized.
  • the contact operation arms 23 therefore act by pressure on the resilient blades 18 and since they act at an advanced position on the blades, enable the resilient blades 18 to maintain all their resilience owing to their free length.
  • Figs.4a and 4b show a relay with two assemblies of change­over contacts.
  • Fig.4a shows the situation when the coil 16 is energized. In that situation the contact rivets 22-122 are united to make a closed contact while the contact rivets 222 and 322 are separated to produce an open contact.
  • the relay assembly 32 may also include a safety assembly 38, which acts when contact rivets are stuck together and a contact remains closed.
  • the main operation keeper 20 comprises at its front end a support 24, which in the example shown upholds two independent stop levers 27-127 which are able to pivot.
  • stop levers 27-127 comprise a profiled protrusion 28 at their ends and cooperate with the resilient blades 18.
  • the stop levers 27-127 are shown as being able to oscillate on the support 24 but may also be fitted so as to be able to slide on guides comprised, for instance, on the main operation keeper 20.
  • the stop levers 27-127 press laterally against the side of the resilient blades 18 owing to the action of a thrust spring 26, which tends to separate the levers.
  • the contact rivets 22-122 do not close together and the first operation keeper 17 is unable to rest against the pole piece of the coil 16, and the magnetic circuit has to be closed in the air gap between the ferromagnetic first keeper 17 and the pole piece.
  • thermostop operation arm 25 too cannot carry out its required travel, and therefore not even the thermostop rod 11 performs its thermostop function as it cannot descend by the necessary extent of travel.
  • Such usage apparatus 33 may be an electrical resistor, a motor, a solenoid valve, etc., depending on the technical requirements.
  • the safety assembly 38 can act by means of the interposing of a diaphragm 39.
  • the interposing of the diaphragm 39 in the dielectric of the contact rivets 22-122 can be coupled with the safety assembly 38 for interference purposes, as shown in Figs.5 to 7.
  • stop levers 27a-127a lack the profiled protrusion 28 but comprise an extension 27b-127b which bears the diaphragm 39 terminally.
  • the thickness of the diaphragm 39 is such that, when the main operation keeper 20 descends, that keeper cannot descend more than a given distance, so that the thermostop rod 11 cannot perform its function as a thermostop.
  • the diaphragm 39 also prevents the passage of electrical current between the contact rivets 22-122 (A-C).
  • Fig.7 show the method of working of the safety assembly 38 in the case of change-over contacts and where the safety assembly 38 works by interference, as in fig.5.
  • the invention can provide for safety to be obtained also in a case where the contact rivets 222-322 become stuck.
  • Fig.6 is employed also in the case of change-over contacts (Fig.7), and if the contact rivets 222-322 (A ⁇ -C ⁇ for instance) stick, as soon as the main operation keeper 20 begins to descend, the stop lever 127 moves sideways above the contact river 122 (C) or above the relative rivet-holder blade and the diaphragm 39 is introduced between the contact rivets 22-122 (B-D).
  • a second diaphragm may be included on the lever bearing the first-mentioned diaphragm 39 so that while the first diaphragm 39 is inserted between the contact rivets 22-122 (B-D), the second diaphragm is interposed between the contact rivets 222-322 (B ⁇ -D ⁇ ). This prevents not only a full descent travel but also the occurrence of contact between the contact rivets 222-322 which are not stuck.
  • FIG.8 shows the working of an electrical circuit covered in the invention and applied to a washing machine, for instance.
  • a pressure switch with a normally opened contact, a thermostat with a normally closed contact, or another conditioner element, a normally open contact 36 of the timer 10 and the coil 16 are shown in series.
  • the relay tabs 31 serve to connect the usage apparatus 33 both upstream and downstream and therefore towards the electricity supply and to earth.

Landscapes

  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
EP87201952A 1986-11-10 1987-10-12 Zeitschalter mit merfachem Sicherheitszusammenbau Expired - Lifetime EP0269143B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT83434/86A IT1201823B (it) 1986-11-10 1986-11-10 Dispositivo programmatore con gruppo di sicurezza multipla
IT8343486 1986-11-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0269143A1 true EP0269143A1 (de) 1988-06-01
EP0269143B1 EP0269143B1 (de) 1993-01-20

Family

ID=11321830

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87201952A Expired - Lifetime EP0269143B1 (de) 1986-11-10 1987-10-12 Zeitschalter mit merfachem Sicherheitszusammenbau

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0269143B1 (de)
DE (1) DE3783730T2 (de)
IT (1) IT1201823B (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2706209A1 (fr) * 1993-06-07 1994-12-16 Eaton Controls Spa Programmateur à arrêt thermique multifonction.
US6080943A (en) * 1999-08-02 2000-06-27 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer
US6583371B1 (en) 2001-11-02 2003-06-24 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer
US6613991B1 (en) 1999-08-02 2003-09-02 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer
US6797897B2 (en) 1999-08-02 2004-09-28 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2670415A (en) * 1952-05-02 1954-02-23 Curtiss Wright Corp Limit switch
FR2067096A2 (de) * 1970-05-29 1971-08-13 Candy Spa
DE7817252U1 (de) * 1978-06-06 1980-09-04 Schleicher Gmbh & Co Relais-Werke Kg, 1000 Berlin Elektromechanisches Zeitrelais in Schmalbauweise
DE3432230A1 (de) * 1984-09-01 1986-03-13 AKO-Werke GmbH & Co KG, 7988 Wangen Wiedereinschaltsperre von relais bzw. kontaktanordnungen mit 2 schliesskontakten

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2670415A (en) * 1952-05-02 1954-02-23 Curtiss Wright Corp Limit switch
FR2067096A2 (de) * 1970-05-29 1971-08-13 Candy Spa
DE7817252U1 (de) * 1978-06-06 1980-09-04 Schleicher Gmbh & Co Relais-Werke Kg, 1000 Berlin Elektromechanisches Zeitrelais in Schmalbauweise
DE3432230A1 (de) * 1984-09-01 1986-03-13 AKO-Werke GmbH & Co KG, 7988 Wangen Wiedereinschaltsperre von relais bzw. kontaktanordnungen mit 2 schliesskontakten

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2706209A1 (fr) * 1993-06-07 1994-12-16 Eaton Controls Spa Programmateur à arrêt thermique multifonction.
US6080943A (en) * 1999-08-02 2000-06-27 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer
US6613991B1 (en) 1999-08-02 2003-09-02 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer
US6797897B2 (en) 1999-08-02 2004-09-28 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer
US6838628B2 (en) 1999-08-02 2005-01-04 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer
US6583371B1 (en) 2001-11-02 2003-06-24 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3783730T2 (de) 1993-08-05
EP0269143B1 (de) 1993-01-20
IT1201823B (it) 1989-02-02
DE3783730D1 (de) 1993-03-04
IT8683434A0 (it) 1986-11-10

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